US10543432B2 - Toy top - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy top includes a shaft portion, a body, and a first attacking member and a second attacking member that are disposed at different circumferential direction positions of the body. The first attacking member is movable between an inner first position and an outer second position in a radial direction. The second attacking member is movable between an inner third position and an outer fourth position in the radial direction. The first attacking member is biased toward the first position and is movable to the second position by centrifugal force. The second attacking member is restrained at the third position when the first attacking member is at the first position and is released from restraint to be moved to the fourth position when the first attacking member is at the second position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toy top.

2. Description of Related Art

A battle game using toy tops that has been known in the art involves forcing toy tops to collide with each other so that a resultant impact force stops the spinning of an opponent toy top or knocks out or disassembles the opponent toy top.

Some of such toy tops are designed to include offensive strength and defensive strength that are changeable. An example toy top includes several movable fins (attacking members), which are ejected radially outward by the action of centrifugal force to work as attackers and are moved inwardly by biasing force of return springs to take a defensive position when the spin speed of the toy top decreases (e.g. CN200977398Y).

However, the toy top disclosed in CN200977398Y includes an increased number of components because each movable fin is provided with a return spring, which leads to complicated assembly work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, which has been made in view of such a drawback, is to provide a toy top that switches between offensive strength and defensive strength during spinning and includes a relatively small number of components to facilitate the assembly work.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a toy top includes:

a shaft portion; and

a body having a first attacking member and a second attacking member that are disposed in different positions in a circumferential direction of the body, wherein

the first attacking member is movable between an inner first position and an outer second position in a radial direction relative to the body,

the second attacking member is movable between an inner third position and an outer fourth position in the radial direction,

the first attacking member is biased toward the first position by a biasing force and is movable to the second position by centrifugal force, opposing the biasing force, and

the second attacking member is restrained at the third position, when the first attacking member is at the first position, and is released from the restraint and moves to the fourth position, when the first attacking member is at the second position.

Preferably, the first attacking member includes a contact portion that contacts the second attacking member to restrain the second attacking member at the third position.

Preferably, a plurality of the first attacking members and a plurality of the second attacking members are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction of the body.

Preferably, at least one of the first attacking member and the second attacking member moves in the radial direction to protrude from an outer circumference of the body.

According to the configuration described above, the centrifugal force is high in the first half stage of spinning. Thus, the first and second attacking members each extend radially outward in a well-balanced manner such that the top toy has a circumferential shape with large depressions and projections, resulting in high offensive strength. The centrifugal force is low in the second half stage of the spinning. Thus, the first and second attacking members retract inwardly, and the center of gravity shifts inward. The toy top thereby has a circumferential shape with small depressions and projections, resulting in high defensive strength, high stability and continuity of spinning.

In this case, the second attacking members move in cooperation with the first attacking members; hence, no means for inwardly biasing the second attacking members is needed. Thus, the structure of the top toy is simple and can be readily assembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features provided by one or more embodiments of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy top and a toy-top launcher according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toy top in action according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a shaft portion of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating coupling of the shaft portion with a body of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top-down perspective view illustrating a flywheel of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom-up perspective view of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded top-down perspective view of the body of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom-up perspective view illustrating the body of the toy top according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a plan view explaining the operation of attacking members of the toy top according to the first embodiment and illustrating the spin in the second half stage.

FIG. 9B is a plan view explaining the operation of the attacking members of the toy top according to the first embodiment and illustrating the spin in the first half stage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A toy top according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Overall Configuration of First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a toy set including a toy top1 and a toy-top launcher60 according to the first embodiment.

The toy top1 is of a type that can be used in a so-called “top battle game.” The toy top1, for example, can be used in a battle game in which a player wins the game when an opponent toy top1 is disassembled as illustrated inFIG. 2 by the impact force of a collision between toy tops.

With reference toFIG. 2, the toy top1 is composed of ashaft portion10, aflywheel30, and abody40.

Details

1. ShaftPortion10

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of ashaft portion10.FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating coupling of theshaft portion10 with thebody40. In the following description on theshaft portion10, the terms “up-down”, “right-left”, and “front-rear” represent the respective directions as illustrated in the drawing.

Theshaft portion10 includes a ground contact or spinningshaft11 in the lower end section, aflange12 in the middle section in the up-down direction, and acylinder13 in the upper end section.

Theflange12 is integrated with thecylinder13. The core of thecylinder13 includes apost14. The upper end of thepost14 has a large diameter. This large diameter portion has twohooks17 protruding radially outward in the front and back directions. Thepost14 is fixed to alower shaft portion10a. Thelower shaft portion10ais fixed to theflange12 with, for example, a screw (not shown).

Twoholes15 are formed in the front and back regions across theflange12 and thecylinder13. The circumferential face of thecylinder13 has twoprotrusions16 in the right and left regions. The outer faces of theprotrusions16 are flush with the circumferential face of theflange12.

Theshaft portion10 includes a cylindrical urgingmember18. The urgingmember18 includes an annular top panel that fits to the upper end portion of thepost14. The urgingmember18 is hollow and has a downward opening. The urgingmember18 fits inside thecylinder13 and surrounds thepost14. The circumferential face at the lower end of the urgingmember18 has twolegs18aprotruding radially outward in the front and back directions.

With reference toFIG. 3, the urgingmember18 is assembled such that thelegs18aare exposed from the respective holes15. Theholes15 allow therespective legs18ato move in the up-down direction therein. The upward movement, however, is limited by the upper edges of theholes15. As shown inFIG. 4, the urgingmember18 is urged upward by aspring19. In a normal state, the upper end face of the urgingmember18 is substantially flush with the upper edge of thecylinder13.

The upper face of the urgingmember18 has tworidges20 radially extending in the left and right directions.

2.Flywheel30

FIG. 5 is an exploded top-down perspective view of theflywheel30.FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom-up perspective view of theflywheel30. In the following description on theflywheel30, the terms “up-down”, “right-left”, and “front-rear” represent the directions as illustrated inFIG. 5.

Theflywheel30 includes aflywheel body30aand awheel cover30b. Theflywheel30 may include any other component.

Theflywheel body30ahas an annular shape. The inner bottom face of theflywheel body30ahas anannular step300athat accommodates theflange12 of theshaft portion10 disposed below. The upper face of theflywheel body30ahas twoupward protrusions31 extending in the right and left directions, respectively.Recesses32 that accommodate therespective protrusions16 of theshaft portion10 from below are defined inside theprotrusions31. The upper face of theflywheel body30ahastongues33 adjoining the outer faces of theprotrusions31 and extending upward. Thetongues33 protrude above theprotrusions31.

Theflywheel body30aoverlies anannular wheel cover30bthat is fitted into the exterior of theflywheel body30a. The wheel cover30bhas anannular step34aon which theflywheel body30asits. The wheel cover30balso has twonotches34bdefined in the right and left regions of thestep34aof thewheel cover30b. The wheel cover30balso hasprojections34con therespective notches34b. Theprojections34ccorrespond torespective notches30cprovided in the outer circumference of theflywheel body30a. Thenotches30cof theflywheel body30aare aligned with therespective projections34cin the vertical direction. After theflywheel body30ais fitted to thewheel cover30b, thewheel cover30bis rotated by a predetermined angle relative to theflywheel body30ain a predetermined direction. The wheel cover30bis thereby mounted to theflywheel body30a.

3.Body40

FIG. 7 is an exploded top-down perspective view of thebody40.FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom-up perspective view of thebody40. In the following description on thebody40, the terms up-down, right-left, and front-rear represent the directions as illustrated inFIG. 7.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, thebody40 includes atop plate41, abottom plate43, and first attackingmembers42 and second attackingmembers44 between thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. Thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43 define a main component.

(1)Top Plate41

Thetop plate41 has a substantiallycircular hole41adefined in the center. Thetop plate41 also hasarcuate slits41cin the right and left regions on the upper wall. Thetongues33 of theflywheel30 can be inserted into thearcuate slits41c. The width of eacharcuate slit41cis large at one end and small at the other end in the circumferential direction.

The bottom face of thetop plate41 has fourcylindrical bosses41ddisposed in the circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. The inner wall of the hole defined in the center of eachboss41dhas an internal thread (not shown). The bottom face of thetop plate41 has apositioning boss41e.

Thetop plate41 also hasprojections41fin the right and left regions of the wall defining thehole41a.

(2)Bottom Plate43

Thebottom plate43 includes anannular frame43a. Aconnector43bsupporting theframe43ais disposed inside of theframe43a. Theconnector43bhas ahole43iin the center.

Theframe43ahas four counterbored through-holes43cthat are disposed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and correspond to therespective bosses41d, which are inserted into the counterbored through-hole43c. Thebottom plate43 and thetop plate41 hold the attackingmembers42 and44 therebetween. An external thread (not shown) fed through the through-holes43con thebottom plate43 is screwed with the internal thread in thebosses41don thetop plate41, and thebottom plate43 is thereby mounted to thetop plate41.

The bottom face of thebottom plate43 has anannular wall43dhaving a diameter equal to that of thehole43i. The lower inner face of theannular wall43dhas twohooks43edisposed opposite each other across the core and extending radially inward. One end of the lower face of eachhook43ehas undulations43fthat engage with theridges20 of theshaft portion10. Theundulations43finclude several ridges disposed in the circumferential direction.

The upper face of theconnector43bhas ahole43gthat fits to thepositioning boss41e.

(3) First andSecond Attacking Members42 and44

The first attackingmembers42 and the second attackingmembers44 are disposed between thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. The first attackingmembers42 are disposed in the front and rear. Thesecond attacking members44 are disposed in the right and left regions. The first attackingmembers42 each have a generally arcuate shape and include anattacker42adisposed in the center and protruding radially outward. The first attackingmembers42 includecontact pieces42bat both ends of theattacker42a. The first attackingmembers42 are movable between a first inner position (FIG. 9A) and a second outer position (FIG. 9B) in a radial direction of the toy top1. Thesecond attacking members44 each have a generally arcuate shape and include anattacker44adisposed in the center and protruding radially outward. Thesecond attacking members44 includecontact pieces44bat both ends of theattacker44a. Thesecond attacking members44 are movable between a third inner position (FIG. 9A) and a fourth radially outward position (FIG. 9B) of the toy top1.

Theattackers42aof the first attackingmembers42 and theattackers44aof the second attackingmembers44 protrude radially outward from the main component when the first and second attackingmembers42 and44 reside at the outer positions in radial directions.

The interior of theattacker42aof each first attackingmember42 has awindow42c. Theboss41dof thetop plate41 and aprojection43jon thebottom plate43 are disposed in thewindow42c. A spring (return spring)45 is disposed between the inner wall of thewindow42cand theprojection43j. The first attackingmember42 is thereby biased inward. Furthermore, the first attackingmember42 is radially guided by theboss41d. The interior of theattacker44aof each second attackingmember44 has arecess44cthat is opened and faces the axis of the toy top1. Theboss41don thebottom plate43 is disposed in therecess44c. Thereby, theboss41dradially guides the second attackingmember44.

The second attackingmember44 is mounted to the main component such that thecontact piece44bof the second attackingmember44 is disposed more inward than thecontact piece42bof the first attackingmember42. The second attackingmember44 is restrained at the third position when the first attackingmember42 resides at the first position by the biasing force of thespring45. The second attackingmember44 is released from the restraint at the third position and can be moved by the centrifugal force to the fourth position when the first attackingmember42 resides at the second position in opposition to the biasing force of thespring45.

(4)Decorative Component47

Adecorative component47 is attached to thehole41ain thetop plate41. Thedecorative component47 is provided for distinguishing the toy top1 from an opponent toy top. Multiple decorative components having upper faces of different colors and/or shapes may be provided. Thedecorative component47 hascurved grooves47ain the circumference. Thedecorative component47 is inserted into thehole41ain thetop plate41 and rotated in a predetermined direction such that theprojections41fare engaged with thegrooves47a. Thedecorative component47 is thereby mounted to thetop plate41.

4. Assembly of Toy Top1

In the first stage, theprotrusions16 of theshaft portion10 are aligned with therespective recesses32 of theflywheel30 from below, so as to fit theshaft portion10 with theflywheel30. In the second stage, this shaft portion/flywheel combination is moved close to thebody40 from below.

Thetongues33 of theflywheel30 are then inserted into the respectivearcuate slits41cin thebody40. In this state, thehooks17 of theshaft portion10 are not aligned with thehooks43eof thebody40 in the up-down direction. This state is referred to as a decoupled state. Theshaft portion10 of the fitted body is then urged toward thebody40. In response, theflywheel30 is urged against the bottom face of thebody40. Thespring19 in theshaft portion10 then contracts, and the urgingmember18 sinks. This causes thehooks17 of theshaft portion10 to be relatively urged above thehooks43eof thebody40. Theshaft portion10 is turned together with theflywheel30 in a predetermined direction (the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the toy top1) relative to thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. This causes thehooks43eof thebody40 to move beneath thehooks17 of theshaft portion10, such that thehooks17 are aligned with thehooks43ein the up-down direction. In response to the removal of the hand of the player from theshaft portion10, the lower faces of thehooks17 of theshaft portion10 come into contact with the upper faces of thehooks43eof thebody40 due to the urging force of thespring19 inside the shaft portion10 (FIG. 4). This state in which the lower faces of thehooks17 of theshaft portion10 are in contact with the upper faces of thehooks43eof thebody40 is referred to as a coupled state. As a result, theridges20 engage with theundulations43f, and the toy top1 is assembled. In this state, the first attackingmember42 resides at the first position via the biasing force of thespring45. As a result, the first attackingmember42 is restrained at the third position by the second attackingmember44.

5. How to Play

An example of how to play with the toy top1 will now be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary launcher that rotationally drives the toy top1.

In this example of how to play, the toy top1 is spun to engage in a battle with an opponent toy top1.

In such a case, the rotational force of the toy top1 is generated with alauncher60, such as that illustrated in FIG.1. Thelauncher60 includes an internal disk (not shown). The disk is urged in a first rotational direction by a spiral spring (not shown). Ahandle61 is then pulled to pull a string (not shown) wound around the disk so as to spin the disk, thereby spinning atop holder62. The spinning of thetop holder62 is transmitted to the toy top1 throughforks63 protruding downward so as to spin the toy top1. In such a case, theforks63 are inserted into thearcuate slits41cin thebody40. Fully pulling thehandle61 of thelauncher60 stops the spinning of the disk and thus the spinning of thetop holder62, but the toy top1 continues to spin due to inertia. The toy top1 follows tilting faces63aof thefork63 and detaches from thetop holder62.

The toy top1 launched in this manner spins in a predetermined field in a predetermined direction. The first attackingmembers42 are then moved by the centrifugal force from the first position to the second position as shown inFIG. 93. Meanwhile, the second attackingmembers44 are released from the restraint in the first attackingmembers42 by the movement of the first attackingmembers42 to the second position and are moved by the centrifugal force to the fourth position. This causes the first and second attackingmembers42 and44 to move radially outward, resulting in a high offensive strength. If the centrifugal force is reduced by the decreased speed in the second half stage of spinning of the toy top, the biasing force of thespring45 overcomes the centrifugal force, which causes the first attackingmember42 to move to the first position as shown inFIG. 9A. Thesecond attacking members44 are then returned to the third position by the biasing force of thespring45 via the first attackingmembers42.

If the toy top1 collides with, for example, the opponent toy top1 spinning in an identical direction, the impact force due to the collision causes a force that is reverse to the spin direction of theshaft portion10 andflywheel30 to be applied on thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. This causes thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43 to relatively spin in the direction reversed to the spin direction of theshaft portion10 and theflywheel30.

Theundulations41fon the bottom face of thebottom plate43 and theridges20 stepwise vary the engagement position of theundulations41fwith theprojections20 in cooperation with relative rotation of theshaft portion10 to thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. Theundulations41fare disengaged from theprojections20 when they reach the decoupling position.

Advantageous Effect of Embodiment

In accordance with the toy top1 according to the present embodiment, the centrifugal force is high in the first half stage of spinning. Thus, the first and second attackingmembers42 and44 each extend radially outward in a well-balanced manner such that the top toy1 has a circumferential shape with large depressions and projections, resulting in a high offensive strength. The centrifugal force is low in the second half stage of spinning. Thus, the first and second attackingmembers42 and44 are retracted inward, and the center of gravity shifts inward. The toy top1 thereby has a circumferential shape with small depressions and projections, resulting in a high defensive strength, increased stability and continuity of spinning.

In this case, the second attackingmembers44 move in cooperation with the first attackingmembers42; hence, a means for inwardly biasing the second attackingmembers44 is not needed. Thus, the structure of the top toy1 is simple, and can be readily assembled. This is particularly effective for the toy top1 according to the present embodiment where the components within the second attackingmember44, such as thearcuate slits41c, cannot be provided with a biasing means.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has been described, the invention may include any other embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, two first attackingmembers42 and two second attacking members are provided. Alternatively, any other number of the first and second attackingmembers42 and44 may be provided so long as they move in cooperation with each other.

In the embodiment, the main component (first body part) includes thetop plate41 and thebottom plate43. Alternatively, the main component may include only one of thetop plate41 or thebottom plate43.

In the embodiment, both the first attackingmembers42 and the second attackingmembers44 are radially movable. Alternatively, at least one of the first attackingmembers42 and the second attackingmembers44 may be rotatable around a predetermined axis. Any configuration may be employed so long as theattackers42a,44aradially move.

In the described embodiment, the first attacking members and the second attackingmembers44 are continuously arranged along the circumferential direction of thebody40. Alternatively, the first attackingmembers42 and the second attackingmembers44 may be arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. Any configuration may be employed so long as the first attackingmembers42 are engaged with the second attackingmembers44 and the first attackingmembers42 move in cooperation with the second attackingmembers44.

In the embodiment, the first attackingmembers42 protrude from the main component even if they reside at the inner positions. Alternatively, at least one of the first attackingmembers42 and the second attackingmembers44 may protrude from the main component only when either of them move to a radially outward position.

The entire disclosure of Japanese patent application No. 2017-114591, filed on Jun. 9, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims (17)

What is claimed is:

1. A toy top, comprising:

a shaft portion;

a body having a first attacking member and a second attacking member that are disposed in different positions in a circumferential direction of the body; and

an opening formed on each of the first and second attacking members that receives in sliding relation, respectively, a projection projecting from the body, so that each of the first and second attacking members can be guided in a radial direction relative to the body,

wherein

the first attacking member is movable between an inner first position and an outer second position in the radial direction,

the second attacking member is movable between an inner third position and an outer fourth position in the radial direction,

the first attacking member is biased toward the inner first position by a biasing force and is movable to the outer second position by centrifugal force, opposing the biasing force, and

the second attacking member is restrained at the inner third position, when the first attacking member is at the inner first position, and is released from being restrained and moves to the outer fourth position, when the first attacking member is at the outer second position,

the first attacking member has a contact portion that contacts the second attacking member to restrain the second attacking member at the inner third position, and

the second attacking member has a contact portion that is positioned more radially inward than the contact portion of the first attacking member, and the second attacking member is restrained from movement from the inner third position to the outer fourth position by the radially outward contact portion of the first attacking member contacting and blocking movement of the contact portion of the second attacking member.

2. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first attacking member and the second attacking member moves in the radial direction to protrude from an outer circumference of the body.

3. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the biasing force is provided by a spring received by the body.

4. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the projection is a boss.

5. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the first attacking member protrudes from the body when in the inner first position.

6. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the second attacking member protrudes from the body when in the inner third position.

7. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the first attacking member is recessed within the body when in the inner first position.

8. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein the second attacking member is recessed within the body when in the inner third position.

9. The toy top according toclaim 1, wherein, after the first attacking member moves from the inner first position to the outer second position, the biasing force moves the first attacking member from the outer second position to the inner first position, while the contact portion of the first attacking member pushes the contact portion of the second attacking member thereby pushing the second attacking member from the outer fourth position back to the inner third position.

10. A toy top, comprising:

a shaft portion;

a body having a plurality of first attacking members and a plurality of second attacking members that are disposed in different positions in a circumferential direction of the body; and

an opening formed on each of the first and second attacking members that receives in sliding relation, respectively, a projection projecting from the body, so that each of the first and second attacking members can be guided in radial direction relative to the body,

wherein each of the first attacking members is movable between an inner first position and an outer second position in the radial direction,

wherein each of the second attacking members is movable between an inner third position and an outer fourth position in the radial direction,

wherein each of the first attacking members is biased toward the inner first position by a biasing force and is movable to the outer second position by centrifugal force, opposing the biasing force, and

wherein each of the second attacking members is restrained at the inner third position by one of the first attacking members, respectively, when each of the one first attacking members is at the inner first position, and is released from being restrained and moves to the outer fourth position, when each of the one of the first attacking members moves to the outer second position,

wherein each of the first attacking members has a contact portion that comes into contact with a contact portion of each of the second attacking members to respectively restrain the second attacking member at the inner third position,

wherein the plurality of the first attacking members and the plurality of the second attacking members are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction of the body, and

wherein the contact portion of each of the plurality of second attacking members is positioned more radially inward than the contact portion of each of the plurality of the first attacking members, and each of the second attacking members is restrained from movement from the inner third position to the outer fourth position by the radially outward contact member of each of the first attacking members contacting and blocking radial movement of the contact member of each of the plurality of second attacking members.

11. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein the number of the plurality of the first attacking members is two, the number of the plurality of the second attacking members is two, the two first attacking members are located radially opposite each other on the body, the two second attacking members are located radially opposite each other on the body, and each of the two second attacking members is located between the two first attacking members.

12. The toy top according toclaim 11, wherein the two first and two second attacking members are equally radially spaced in the circumferential direction of the body.

13. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein the body comprises a first upper plate connected to a second lower plate, and the pluralities of first and second attack members are located between the first upper plate and the second lower plate.

14. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein each of the first and second attack members has a generally arcuate shape with a central portion protruding radially outward, the contact portion is two elongated contact end pieces, and the central portion is between the two elongated contact end pieces.

15. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of first attacking members and the plurality of second attacking members is rotatable about a predetermined axis to move radially outward.

16. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein, after each of the first attacking members moves from the inner first position to the outer second position, the biasing force moves each of the first attacking members from the outer second position to the inner first position, while the contact portion of each of the first attacking members pushes the respective contact portions of the second attacking members thereby pushing the second attacking member from the outer fourth position back to the inner third position.

17. The toy top according toclaim 10, wherein the projection is a boss.

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